HC Deb 27 April 1967 vol 745 cc1804-5
14. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now seek the abolition of the dock in criminal proceedings.

Mr. Taverne

My right hon. Friend has still not received replies from all the organisations who have been consulted; but he is considering whether, with due regard to security, it might be possible to dispense with the dock in certain types of case.

Mr. McNamara

Has my hon. and learned Friend made any estimate of the amount of money which could be saved in new court houses if docks were abolished in criminal proceedings?

Mr. Taverne

I am not aware of particular figures, although I have heard it suggested that some money would be saved. At the moment, the general view among the organisations which we have consulted seems to be that the dock cannot be entirely dispensed with.

Mr. Crawshaw

Does not my hon. and learned Friend agree that to place a supposedly innocent man in a special dock guarded by warders seems to point to his guilt rather than his innocence, and is not that the interpretation which many jurors place upon it? Can he not look at this again and try to do something to make our system a little more enlightened?

Mr. Taverne

Certainly no final decision has been taken and this is one of the matters which will be borne in mind. We also have to have regard to security and the strain placed upon prison officers. All of those things have to be balanced.